Subsitute teacher accused of abusing students - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

A substitute teacher faces criminal charges after authorities say she allegedly abused and swore at fifth graders in Bloomington.

The licensed substitute teacher that stands accused is Laura Avery, 59, of Bloomington.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County on Thursday, it is alleged that within the first hour of the school day on Dec. 13, Avery began cursing at her classroom full of students when they were acting up.

In the complaint it states, "Defendant had sworn and used derogatory terms ... and physically punished or assaulted victims specifically."

In layman's terms Avery began cursing and then grew so agitated she assaulted at least three students, according to investigators.

"She ended up taking three of them down to the choir room and it sounds like all three of them she grabbed one by the hair, grabbed another by the neck and kicked one of them on his way into the choir room," Bloomington Police Commander Kevin Herman said.

The school became aware of this very quickly when some of the students were crying and told another teacher about it at recess, according to police.

The school then notified authorities and Avery was escorted out of the building.

The district says she has worked with them off and on since 2003 and has taught as a substitute more than 70 times since the 2008 school year, but she had no documented problems on her record.

Avery remains in jail in Hennepin County.